Braces are a tried-and-true orthodontic treatment that has assisted countless generations of patients with crooked teeth, misaligned bites, and other types of related issues. However, some patients who need braces might feel reluctant to commit to them due to what they’ve heard through the grapevine – mainly, that they’ll be stuck with metal in their mouth for a long, long time. However, braces can straighten teeth at a faster rate than you may have realized! Here’s what you need to know.
How Long Does It Take Braces to Straighten Teeth?
The average amount of time for braces depends entirely on the patient’s individual circumstances – but in most cases, it falls between 1 and 3 years. A few of the factors that can impact how long you’ll need to wear braces include:
- How crooked your teeth are – Teeth that are less crooked are generally quicker to realign. Some complex cases may require treatment for existing issues, or tooth extraction to make room for movement.
- The way your top and bottom teeth align (your bite) – If you suffer from an issue like an open bite, crossbite, overbite, or underbite, it’ll likely take longer to correct compared to just having mild misalignment.
- The type of braces and accessories involved – Metal braces are one variety of orthodontic treatments; lingual braces, for example, are placed behind the teeth. Sometimes, elastics are also used in conjunction with metal braces, in addition to retainers. All can impact the total length of treatment.
Can the Orthodontic Process Be Sped Up?
Unfortunately, the orthodontic process cannot be sped up – teeth can only be moved at a certain rate, and if they moved any faster, the process wouldn’t be as precise or comfortable as it is. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind during your treatment, as you will still want to prevent setbacks. Consider the following:
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene throughout your braces journey; teeth that suffer from cavities might not move as intended, and additional forms of dental treatment might slow things down.
- Take an active role in your treatment plan by adjusting your lifestyle as needed; adhere to your dietary guidelines, wear a mouthguard if you play sports, and avoid trying to fix broken braces yourself.
- Keep up with your routine check-ins with your provider so they can adjust your braces as needed and inspect things to ensure you’re still on track.
With braces, you’re looking at a treatment process that is reasonable in length – and while it may seem like a while without your pearly whites on full display, knowing how straight and healthy they’ll be following your treatment can keep you in good spirits!
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Sam Alkhoury and Dr. Maddie Li, our talented team at Simply Orthodontics Webster has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in the Webster community for several years. We offer a wide range of orthodontic services for patients of all ages, including metal braces. If you have any questions about our blog or would like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment, please visit us online or call today for more information. Telephone: (508) 943-2100.